Best Bourbon for Intermediate Drinkers
- Toni B
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Best Bourbon for Intermediate Drinkers
You've moved past the beginner shelf. You can handle more proof, more spice, and bottles that actually change between sips. Here's where I'd go next.
The Next Tier
Old Grand-Dad 114, 114 proof. High rye, spicy, structured. A serious step up.
Knob Creek 12, around 100 proof. Rich caramel and oak, still approachable.
New Riff 8 Year, 100 proof. Single distillery, honest, no gimmicks.
Weller 12, wheated, soft, a little more depth than the beginner wheaters.
Russell's Reserve 10, around $35. Rye-forward, bold, great value.
What Changes at This Level
You start noticing mash bill differences. High rye hits you in the back of the throat. Wheated hits you in the chest. Cask strength hits you everywhere. You also start caring about the distillery, not just the brand.
What to Avoid
Still skip the allocated unicorns unless you have a connection. Still skip anything over $150 that isn't worth the story. The intermediate shelf is full of great bottles under $60.
Bottom Line
Move to 100-plus proof, try both wheat and rye, and start learning distillery names. That's the whole intermediate path.